tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31929891400285692962024-02-19T05:14:09.848-08:00Crazy Homeless Catholic GrandmaI have been homeless since November of 2010. I consider myself blessed that I can sleep indoors, unlike many of my homeless friends, who have to spend nights outside, in all kinds of weather.
I returned to my Catholic faith in 2005, after an absence of thirty years.
Before that, I had already had an absence of about ten years. I tried to return to Holy Mother Church, but it didn't "take."
Things were very strange in the '70's.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-50654734686607048702017-01-20T14:28:00.001-08:002017-01-20T14:40:20.070-08:00Economic arguments don't tend in one direction. . . . All economists . .<br />
<br />
The argument is not about economics. . . whose manners and values they cannot accept. they will be twice <br />
our love for each other, our attachment to this place . . integrity, sovereignty and freedom.<br />
<br />
The EU has confiscated national arguments, but given nothing in exchange for it.<br />
<br />
. . . all economists . . . are self- appointed authories.<br />
<br />
It's about idenify . . persuadng people to shre their house and their grounda with a fmaily who<br />
<br />
our love for each other, our attachment to thi place nad our abiliy to govern ourelves accordng to the<br />
<br />
integrity, sovereignty and freedom.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-64069307031887254302017-01-20T14:15:00.003-08:002017-01-20T14:31:51.613-08:00Imagine persuading people to share their house with a family whose . . . our love for each other. Our attachment to this placeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-40511928791668820572016-09-11T15:41:00.001-07:002016-09-11T17:05:01.363-07:00Tomorrow My Little Brother Would Have Been Turning Fifty Four Years Old.<b>My Brother's Fifty Fourth Birthday Would Have Been Tomorrow</b><br />
<br />
He has been gone since 1983.<br />
<br />
I have been thinking of my little brother a lot as I have been writing another post on this blog, the one entitled, <a href="http:////www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3192989140028569296#editor/target=post;postID=2556457617788389047;onPublishedMenu=overview;onClosedMenu=overview;postNum=3;src=postname">Our Lady's Assumption, September 15, 1965.</a><br />
<br />
My little brother was only three years old when my son --- his uncle --- was born.<br />
<br />
When my son was born, at Mercy Hospital <a href="http://https://crazyhomelesscatholic.blogspot.com/2014/12/remembering-bishop-bosco-he-was-born-in.html">(where Father Bosco was chaplain)</a>, my mom came to visit, and she brought Bobby with her. She told him to wait right outside the room, and not to come in, but also not to go anywhere, either, or talk or do anything.<br />
<br />
A big job for a little guy of three years old!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJCyNxtnNY11UgP0mUy3IJM8Aw9OgJyBr3KA-Dye2adBD0eMirWP67Eo5uyqgv39hoywd19qWwRSdSAHeZJdiQ_C5eCpoxwqamjpdNhM_2J_sBLbWeCQFQ7K3ysDRjj2E3ttflGg6eXs/s1600/ACWB+image+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJCyNxtnNY11UgP0mUy3IJM8Aw9OgJyBr3KA-Dye2adBD0eMirWP67Eo5uyqgv39hoywd19qWwRSdSAHeZJdiQ_C5eCpoxwqamjpdNhM_2J_sBLbWeCQFQ7K3ysDRjj2E3ttflGg6eXs/s200/ACWB+image+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" height="59" /></a></div><br />
I was so glad to hear my mom's voice out in the hallway. I think perhaps she was afraid that she or Bobby would get in trouble and yelled at, or perhaps they were breaking a rule?<br />
<br />
Perhaps they were, but I was so glad to see them anyway. My mom had "stationed" him right next to the door to my room. He was kind of flattened against the wall of the hallway, but right next to the room, in deference to her instructions, but he wanted to know what was going on. I looked to where I heard my mom's voice, and wondered where Bobby was.<br />
<br />
He was peeking inside the room, with only his little shoulders inside, but the rest of himself still out in the hall. It was very adorable. <br />
<br />
Of course I wanted to explain more to him. I usually did explain things to him. I was glad to do so. I felt sad that I could not explain anything to him on this day.<br />
<br />
What would I tell him? What could I say? I did not even know what was going on myself.<br />
<br />
Fifteen years later, in 1980, I told him about his nephew, who had been born when Bobby was three years old.<br />
<br />
Bobby had this weird, silly and funny thing he used to do.<br />
<br />
He would put his fists up in the air, using the "Popeye stance." It was also a little bit like Godzilla. He would pretend to growl. He would say, "Wot? Wot?? Then he would repeat and reiterate the gist of whatever the other party had said to him.<br />
<br />
In this case (1980), the other party was me, and I had told him, during a session of "Mary Jane", about his nephew born in 1965.<br />
<br />
He put his fists up in the Popeye stance, and in a mock-threatening voice, said, <i>"Wot? Wot? You mean I have a fifteen year-old half-breed nephew?"</i><br />
<br />
After that, we never discussed the topic again. There wasn't anything to be discussed. I did not know anything. Sadly, I did find out a little more in 1992, but I wish I had not.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-17512265048081967332016-08-27T15:11:00.002-07:002017-01-19T18:10:36.440-08:00A North Side Story, pre - 1965.When Troy Hill School was torn down, we had no non-Catholic school anymore on top of Troy Hill. We were only left with Most Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School. Our grades at Troy Hill went all the way up to the eighth. Junior high school picked up on the North Side, with Latimer Junior High.<br />
<br />
I guess Junior High is like "middle school" is now, but not quite. Well, junior high consisted of sixth, seventh and eighth grades, but I think that middle school consists of fifth, sixth and seventh, although I'm not sure. I really don't know. I don't want to know, either. You may understand why I say that if or when you finish reading this post.<br />
<br />
This is not the end. I have yet to finish this part. So, don't go away.<br />
<br />
Troy Hill Elementary was the only grade school I attended after we moved into the house that my stepdad inherited from his great-aunt Lottie, who had raised him. Nobody ever seemed to know <i>why</i> Aunt Lottie had raised him.<br />
<br />
His mom and dad and sister lived right across the street. <br />
<br />
To be continued ------>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-84205894342959989842016-08-19T10:40:00.002-07:002016-09-02T15:14:20.732-07:00Archbishop Fulton Sheen on Our Lord's Passion, and on "Grace through Grease."<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XA6aIhHzXkw" width="420"></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w13TYL1SQd4" width="420"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-25564576177883890472016-08-15T15:49:00.002-07:002016-09-26T08:04:47.138-07:00Our Lady's Assumption, August 15, 1965My 17th birthday was in February of 1965.<br />
<br />
I will never forget this very beautiful, inspiring day when nothing really happened. The day was the Feast of Our Lady's Assumption. I think I have never had such a happy joyful feeling.<br />
<br />
My oldest son was about to be born almost exactly a month later, on September 19. I was not married. My son's dad was of a different ethnic group from me. He was also married and 35 years old.<br />
<br />
In 1965, segregation was very much a reality in Pittsburgh. It was not enforced by law. Nevertheless, it was very real. It was strongly enforced, although not by law. But, by many other means.<br />
<br />
My mom and stepdad owned the home we lived in. They sometimes let a portion of the rooms in this home, but always pretended that that the rooms were "already rented," if there was a question of the caller's ethnicity.<br />
<br />
My stepdad and mom married in 1954, when I was six years old. Before they married, my stepdad told my mom in no uncertain terms that he would not marry her unless and until she promised that not a penny of <i>HIS</i> (my stepdad's) $$ would ever go to my support. (I did not know of this evil "covenant", until I was an adult, perhaps even in my 30's. I suddenly, one day, truly understood the meaning of something my mom had said to me when I was ten years old.) She had to earn her own money to support me--- and apparently, herself. She had legal custody of me.<br />
<br />
My "real" dad --- her first husband --- did not pay any of the child support that was ordered by the court. I think it was about $5 per week. It has not been paid to date. (But my dad's wife has been generous enough to compensate for any of my dad's own failings. May she rest in peace, the dear, beautiful, gracious lady, bless her heart.)<br />
<br />
My mom sent me to a home for pregnant girls, but, when my aunt (who is also my godmother) visited Pittsburgh during the process of moving to a new home and, mom told her where I was, and why. My aunt rescued me from the home for pregnant girls. At the time, I was only too happy to be away from there. <br />
<br />
Looking back, I realize it may not have been so bad as I thought at the time.<br />
<br />
I was confused, lonely, and wanted to be in my own home, where things were familiar. Of course, I also missed my mom. My aunt and her family invited me to their home in Indiana, to live indefinitely. They picked me up from the home for pregnant girls. We drove to Indiana directly from the pregnant girls' home in Pittsburgh. <br />
<br />
But, I was not happy there, either, though. I contacted a friend of the family in Pittsburgh, for a Western Union transfer. I bought a train ticket with the cash.<br />
<br />
I've always wondered about it, though. There was no way for me to figure out what to do, except my own mind. I did feel very close to Our Lord, His Mother and our Holy Mother Church at the time. I went to Confession, and Mass, I think, sometimes, but I did not know if my commitment was sincere, or I was just scared because of the dire predicament I was in. Maybe I was only a "fair weather friend" of Our Lord.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3192989140028569296#editor/target=post;postID=3312951289062035789;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=34;src=postname" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">On my post about Father Bosco</a>, I talk about how my mom and my grandma went to have a "conference," with him.<br />
<br />
I think I wanted to be in my own home, in my own neighborhood, where I had lived for four years. I had lived in that neighborhood since I was eight, or perhaps I had lived there since I was five or six, depending on whether or not you considered Troy Hill a part of North Side.<br />
<br />
<i>(There is a Wikipedia page for each of these places. These pages are pretty inaccurate and silly --- as such pages mostly tend to be. The less said, the better. Naturally, readers are free . . .)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> My stepdad had been raised by his great-aunt, even though his own mom and dad lived right across the street. Nobody ever seemed to know or understand why this was, not even my stepdad himself. <br />
<br />
This great-aunt bequeathed the house to my stepdad, when the great-aunt died. I believe that means that it was also owned by my mother, because they were married to each other at the time Aunt Lottie died.<br />
<br />
One of those great mysteries of life, I guess, like the question of why I was (thankfully and blessedly) baptized in a Roman Catholic church, even though my mom and dad hated Holy Mother Church very much --- <a href="http://https://crazyhomelesscatholic.blogspot.com/p/me-and-my-blogger-blog.html"> with good reason, as I say in an earlier post</a>.<br />
<br />
I was so happy to be back in my home on August 15th, after I returned to Pittsburgh from that trip to Indiana.<br />
<br />
I had missed my mom, and sisters and brother when I was in Indiana. I also missed my home, even though I had several younger cousins in Indiana, who were also very fun. But not the same as my own siblings, at home. Things were different there, and I had a difficult time adjusting to my aunt's rules. I was accustomed to no rules at all, where nobody talked to me or paid any attention, as long as I didn't bother<i> them.<br />
</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Story_Ever_Told">The movie entitled The Greatest Story Ever Told, starring Max von Sydow as Our Lord, and Charlton Heston as St. John the Baptist, (as well as a huge all-star cast)</a>, had been released a few days before my seventeenth birthday. I do not know exactly when I saw it? Probably a few months later.<br />
<br />
This movie made a great impression on me. I developed a new sense of joy and wonder in the Lord, and love for the Lord and His Blessed Mother.<br />
<br />
But, getting back to September 15th of 1965. I was sitting there in my living room. I say it was "mine," because I lived there, but I was not really supposed to call anything "mine." My mom told me I should not call it "mine," because it all belonged to my stepdad, her husband, because he "worked," for it. <br />
<br />
I was so happy to be in that beautiful, spacious room with ceilings about 15 feet high, and those very tall windows, I'm not sure how high they were. But, it was airy, with curtains flowing in the breeze. There was a small tree outside, between the two windows. All was beautiful, peaceful and filled with joy. <br />
<br />
I felt the Blessed Mother's presence strangely and powerfully.<br />
<br />
Her Presence was so powerful. I felt that I was in the Presence of Beauty Itself, and of Love Itself.<br />
<br />
I felt hat Our Blessed Mother was there, protecting my baby and me.<br />
<br />
It seems strange now, thinking about it, because my life was changed in that moment, yet nothing really happened.<br />
<br />
I had been worried about the new baby, ever since a "counselor" at the home for pregnant girls told me hat nobody wanted biracial babies. She said the situation was so dire for them that the bishop had sent out a letter. I don't know what the letter was about, but . . . ? this social worker's story caused me great worry. The comments and snide remarks I heard from those closest to me didn't help much, either.<br />
<br />
When my son was born, I could not bring him to "my" home, because my mom and stepdad would not allow it. My stepdad had never even known I was pregnant, and my mom had not yet told him, so my son went to a foster home, "temporarily". I was not yet eighteen years old. <br />
<br />
It was a conspiracy of silence. Everybody kept pretending that I didn't "have to" give him up for adoption, but it was more or less a foregone conclusion that I would do so, I realize now. I got to visit him once in the foster home, and I also was "allowed" to buy him clothes and toys, but I had to drop them off with the agency. <br />
<br />
One day, I was looking at the baby bottles in the Sears catalog. I realized that I could not relinquish custody of my son. My mom came through the room, and I told her I had decided not to give him up. <br />
<br />
She said, "Of course, honey. We'll get that, too," indicating the baby bottle set that I had been looking at in the catalog.<br />
<br />
But, when the day arrived that a hearing was scheduled for relinquishing custody, nobody told me anything or asked anything, or did anything.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, I did not do anything myself. I asked my son's dad for help. He said he could not afford to help me, because he had to buy new furniture for his wife. He and his wife had been estranged before that.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure that I have a right to blame anyone except myself, though. I could probably have done something to help myself, but I did not. I have always regretted this terrible lack of initiative.<br />
<br />
I found out more than twenty years later that his adoptive parents systematically abused him mercilessly and treated him cruelly. They even ridiculed him for giving a book as a gift. Nobody would have ever done that if he had been with us. We give books as gifts in my family as a matter of course.<br />
<br />
Yet, the "official story," was that relinquishing one's child for adoption is such an "act of love."<br />
<br />
I don't think so. <br />
<br />
Not in this case.<br />
<br />
Another part of the "official story," is that I would be able to resume my education, and finish my degree.<br />
<br />
I don't think so.<br />
<br />
Not in this case.<br />
<br />
I don't have a degree.<br />
<br />
Even now.<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
Now, in 2016, teen girls who become pregnant are being told the same pack of lies --- except now they're coerced into abortions, instead of just relinquishing custody.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVzwxBxN9YTWzf2UqYxqizVyxR6FWqsSiM-eSW_UybtqSHcaphyphenhyphen7MJ5dGYi78SW68I00SBDCG1ocX7bLPy23xtNY-PEpz5_zbpvH0y_zuzwwMbw2qSA0ghhOUeaCGXva1G7bWKY_TQyQ/s1600/ACWB+image+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVzwxBxN9YTWzf2UqYxqizVyxR6FWqsSiM-eSW_UybtqSHcaphyphenhyphen7MJ5dGYi78SW68I00SBDCG1ocX7bLPy23xtNY-PEpz5_zbpvH0y_zuzwwMbw2qSA0ghhOUeaCGXva1G7bWKY_TQyQ/s320/ACWB+image+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" height="95" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/assumption" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
<br />
Here is some information from Time and Date dot com about Our Lady's Assumption, but I will assume my readers already know.</a><br />
<br />
If not, all the better --- and surprise!!<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02006b.htm">Here</a> is a specifically Catholic page.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-6440853235500938572016-06-30T08:21:00.002-07:002016-08-17T19:19:02.649-07:00The Love of God Lights up the Fires of Hellhttp://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/05/05/pope-francis-suggests-divine-comedy-as-vital-reading-for-year-of-mercy/Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-744603678601705012016-06-18T15:21:00.001-07:002016-09-11T16:03:18.279-07:00Bishop Barron on Shakespeare and the Fading of the Catholic World<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v5-99g_PvgM" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-54217008047758323322016-06-05T15:26:00.000-07:002017-01-20T14:31:51.609-08:00Jubilee Year of Mercy<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-80763373680682086562016-06-03T14:29:00.005-07:002016-09-02T15:11:14.893-07:00First Friday of June, the month of the Sacred Heart, and the Devotion to the Sacred Heart.Today is Friday, June third.<br />
<br />
It is the first Friday of the month. The First Friday Devotion is to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus.<br />
<br />
The month of June is also dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.<br />
<br />
Those of us who are fortunate enough to receive an SSDI (disability) check, have received our second check of the month today. The big one.<br />
<br />
The first, smaller check, comes on the first of the month, or on the last business day of the previous month.<br />
<br />
Daily Mass will be starting, in a few minutes, at my parish, which is right across the street. It is a little scary crossing that highway to the church, because it is one of the main arteries out of town for many folks who have desk jobs in my gentrified town full of middle-class liberals.<br />
<br />
They love cars, and they love to rush around hurriedly.<br />
<br />
And drink beer. <br />
<br />
They do not love disheveled, unkempt, old ladies like me. I feel that they don't think I belong in "their" city.(Perhaps it is uncharitable to say that?) I have to go to Confession anyway, but I would like to attend Mass today. So, because of a sin I committed a few weeks ago, so I won't get be truly practicing the Sacred Heart Devotion, but Mass is of infinite value, with or without the<span style="background-color: #ea9999;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"> <span style="background-color: white;">*B*O*D*Y of C*H*R*I*S*T* </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;">I think?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;">And hope?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="background-color: white;">The main thing for me: I just wanted to get to Mass for that Sacred Heart Devotion on Friday, June 3, even though I knew I would not be qualified to receive the <span style="color: red;">~~~</span><span style="color: red;">*</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">B*O*D*Y of C*H*R*I*S*T* ~~~ </span><span style="background-color: white;">due to my soul's lack of a state of grace. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white;">Well, it is not a sin to attend Mass without Communicating, but it is a sin to receive the<span style="color: red;"> ~~~</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">*B*O*D*Y of C*H*R*I*S*T* ~~~ </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">n</span>unworthily.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjx-92zBojBTrxcTjzYH-Y2jmL2pWRAgGAEbAQR7DB7OxOkOpxLgs7O06N1D-teg4Zb_GmVlg_MnU0SqA8P13xWR5ssfjceteW7H8hNrJXxvVE-DjugdgKxkFk1A9gA054aUwGYnmPKBr4b38SBZMlgvSVl=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" heigth="60px" src="https://evangeli.net/_static/img/evangeli_banner.png" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A team of 200 priests comment on <b>daily Gospel</b></span></h2>Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stjohnbaptist.net/SacredHeartDevotion1.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a> <br />
<ul style="text-align: center;"><li><a href="http://www.stjohnbaptist.net/SacredHeartDevotion1.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here is a page with information and history of the Sacred Heart Devotion.</a></li>
<li> </li>
<li> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.stjohnbaptist.net/SacredHeartDevotion3.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here is a beautiful picture of the Sacred Heart, along with a beautiful prayer to the Sacred Heart for children. </a></li>
</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
<ul style="text-align: center;"></ul>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fevangeli.net%2F_static%2Fimg%2Fevangeli_banner.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjx-92zBojBTrxcTjzYH-Y2jmL2pWRAgGAEbAQR7DB7OxOkOpxLgs7O06N1D-teg4Zb_GmVlg_MnU0SqA8P13xWR5ssfjceteW7H8hNrJXxvVE-DjugdgKxkFk1A9gA054aUwGYnmPKBr4b38SBZMlgvSVl=" -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-40513042598452112342016-06-03T14:29:00.003-07:002016-09-11T16:07:26.066-07:00First Friday of June, the month of the Sacred Heart, and the Devotion to the Sacred Heart.Today is Friday, June third.<br />
<br />
It is the first Friday of the month. The First Friday Devotion is to honor the Sacred Heart of Jesus.<br />
<br />
The month of June is also dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.<br />
<br />
Those of us who are fortunate enough to receive an SSDI (disability) check, have received our second check of the month today. The big one.<br />
<br />
The first, smaller check, comes on the first of the month, or on the last business day of the previous month.<br />
<br />
Daily Mass will be starting, in a few minutes, at my parish, which is right across the street. It is a little scary crossing that highway to the church, because it is one of the main arteries out of town for many folks who have desk jobs in my gentrified town full of middle-class liberals.<br />
<br />
They love cars, and they love to rush around hurriedly.<br />
<br />
And drink beer. <br />
<br />
They do not love disheveled, unkempt, old ladies like me. I feel that they don't think I belong in "their" city.(Perhaps it is uncharitable to say that?) I have to go to Confession anyway, but I would like to attend Mass today. So, because of a sin I committed a few weeks ago, so I won't get be truly practicing the Sacred Heart Devotion, but Mass is of infinite value, with or without the<span style="background-color: #ea9999;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;"> <span style="background-color: white;">*B*O*D*Y of C*H*R*I*S*T* </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;">I think?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;">And hope?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="background-color: white;">The main thing for me: I just wanted to get to Mass for that Sacred Heart Devotion on Friday, June 3, even though I knew I would not be qualified to receive the <span style="color: red;">~~~</span><span style="color: red;">*</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">B*O*D*Y of C*H*R*I*S*T* ~~~ </span><span style="background-color: white;">due to my soul's lack of a state of grace. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span> <span style="background-color: white;">Well, it is not a sin to attend Mass without Communicating, but it is a sin to receive the<span style="color: red;"> ~~~</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: red;">*B*O*D*Y of C*H*R*I*S*T* ~~~ </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: white;">n</span>unworthily.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjx-92zBojBTrxcTjzYH-Y2jmL2pWRAgGAEbAQR7DB7OxOkOpxLgs7O06N1D-teg4Zb_GmVlg_MnU0SqA8P13xWR5ssfjceteW7H8hNrJXxvVE-DjugdgKxkFk1A9gA054aUwGYnmPKBr4b38SBZMlgvSVl=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" heigth="60px" src="https://evangeli.net/_static/img/evangeli_banner.png" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A team of 200 priests comment on <b>daily Gospel</b></span></h2>Add caption</td></tr>
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</span></div><br />
<span style="background-color: red;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stjohnbaptist.net/SacredHeartDevotion1.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><br />
</a> <br />
<ul style="text-align: center;"><li><a href="http://www.stjohnbaptist.net/SacredHeartDevotion1.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here is a page with information and history of the Sacred Heart Devotion.</a></li>
<li> </li>
<li> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.stjohnbaptist.net/SacredHeartDevotion3.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here is a beautiful picture of the Sacred Heart, along with a beautiful prayer to the Sacred Heart for children. </a></li>
</ul><br />
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<ul style="text-align: center;"></ul>
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<br />
Much too young to die.<br />
<br />
I'm not even kidding.<br />
<br />
On Easter Sunday??!!?!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1py-EDOp6rO1xZlpCVVsVlhkxzR0FOdXsxWcabDO6p1LwG-nk2ggwqetZnXjHtkpt5Sd6wnOdupmuCL_y8aCcvRn9UDygeeLxmfpmYspvNx7EO43IFmABPSYQ36FRxs5BhVNaZtKB1XM/s1600/1675170007001_4820149883001_MotherRoto-over-Background.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1py-EDOp6rO1xZlpCVVsVlhkxzR0FOdXsxWcabDO6p1LwG-nk2ggwqetZnXjHtkpt5Sd6wnOdupmuCL_y8aCcvRn9UDygeeLxmfpmYspvNx7EO43IFmABPSYQ36FRxs5BhVNaZtKB1XM/s1600/1675170007001_4820149883001_MotherRoto-over-Background.mp4" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
http://ewtn.com/motherangelica/<a href="http://ewtn.com/motherangelica/" target="_blank">http://ewtn.com/motherangelica/</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-28251428666499984892016-03-26T17:15:00.002-07:002016-05-12T18:09:07.084-07:00Three Movies, One Book, and A Book Review<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Reviewed in New York Review of Books, March 10, 2016, Volume LXII, Number 4, page 25, by Jason DeParl <a href="http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2016/03/10/evicted-kicked-out-in-america/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Kicked Out in America</a><br />
<br />
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, by Matthew Desmond, Crown, 418 pp. $28.00<br />
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/Desmond-book">http://tinyurl.com/Desmond-book</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80uheq2XY4Gf23z8AxXycPjFzNt0zNcUyLIc86TnOWfAq4c9GfiTQLs5m5X9aDQhhZdRC9ZJxVxwvYvcIy2CRHLHy0gTXdZcgAoI6ZaOW3skvX0pxo6_gvWPlw4OYbMcvN5VqLVsoBss/s1600/41MXMkzKooL._SX337_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80uheq2XY4Gf23z8AxXycPjFzNt0zNcUyLIc86TnOWfAq4c9GfiTQLs5m5X9aDQhhZdRC9ZJxVxwvYvcIy2CRHLHy0gTXdZcgAoI6ZaOW3skvX0pxo6_gvWPlw4OYbMcvN5VqLVsoBss/s320/41MXMkzKooL._SX337_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
</h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Skerritt-Veronica-Cartwright-William/dp/B002C5ZT0M" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wisdom, 1986, movie</a></h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
</h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
<a href="http://99homesmovie.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">99 Homes</a></h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
</h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h2>
<a href="http://www.thebigshortmovie.com/" target="_blank">The Big Short</a></h2>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-24863259788096770812016-03-26T16:43:00.003-07:002016-06-30T08:38:33.283-07:00Too much $$$?This is for all you people who worry that Holy Mother Church has too much money.<br />
<br />
Well, what is "too much" in your estimation?<br />
<br />
I think perhaps "too much" = any amount at all > 0.<br />
<br />
{Anti-Catholic bigots say such things regularly.}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2WWw6XlZvyxjFbUyUhHfUxewGIYrAkl-tyexT4SwM3oyS6VV0DVaxkfPfNNSw54p5ou0qrcEcZCaUyZRRiXAY71MhnHKiG9dH8dOdAdbiQsyxNOafJGFcQo0qAI5vNbKhsqsRLrBPic/s1600/1377478_159658200909351_745722056_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2WWw6XlZvyxjFbUyUhHfUxewGIYrAkl-tyexT4SwM3oyS6VV0DVaxkfPfNNSw54p5ou0qrcEcZCaUyZRRiXAY71MhnHKiG9dH8dOdAdbiQsyxNOafJGFcQo0qAI5vNbKhsqsRLrBPic/s320/1377478_159658200909351_745722056_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is an infographic regarding this topic.<br />
<br />
I found it on the website of<a href="http://catholicauthor.us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Dominic deSouza</a>, but I wonder if Dominic is related to Dinesh deSouza? I think Dinesh is spelled d'Souza, though?<br />
<br />
(But, I digress.)<br />
<div class="visually_embed">
</div>
<br />
<img alt="Catholicism: Wealth and Spending" class="visually_embed_infographic" src="https://visual.ly/node/image/113106?_w=540" /><br />
<div class="visually_embed_cycle">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<script class="visually_embed_script" id="visually_embed_script_113106" src="https://a.visual.ly/api/embed/113106?width=540" type="text/javascript"></script> From <a href="http://visual.ly/?utm_source=content-embed&utm_medium=embed">Visually</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-84662893340609891942016-03-26T16:43:00.001-07:002016-06-30T08:27:09.603-07:00Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-18415032371505859232016-03-26T16:43:00.000-07:002016-06-30T08:29:44.306-07:00Too much $$$?This is for all you people who worry that Holy Mother Church has too much money.<br />
<br />
Well, what is "too much" in your estimation?<br />
<br />
I think perhaps "too much" = any amount at all > 0.<br />
<br />
{Anti-Catholic bigots say such things regularly.}<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2WWw6XlZvyxjFbUyUhHfUxewGIYrAkl-tyexT4SwM3oyS6VV0DVaxkfPfNNSw54p5ou0qrcEcZCaUyZRRiXAY71MhnHKiG9dH8dOdAdbiQsyxNOafJGFcQo0qAI5vNbKhsqsRLrBPic/s1600/1377478_159658200909351_745722056_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2WWw6XlZvyxjFbUyUhHfUxewGIYrAkl-tyexT4SwM3oyS6VV0DVaxkfPfNNSw54p5ou0qrcEcZCaUyZRRiXAY71MhnHKiG9dH8dOdAdbiQsyxNOafJGFcQo0qAI5vNbKhsqsRLrBPic/s320/1377478_159658200909351_745722056_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is an infographic regarding this topic.<br />
<br />
I found it on the website of<a href="http://catholicauthor.us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Dominic deSouza</a>, but I wonder if Dominic is related to Dinesh deSouza? I think Dinesh is spelled d'Souza, though?<br />
<br />
(But, I digress.)<br />
<div class="visually_embed">
</div>
<br />
<img alt="Catholicism: Wealth and Spending" class="visually_embed_infographic" src="https://visual.ly/node/image/113106?_w=540" /><br />
<div class="visually_embed_cycle">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<script class="visually_embed_script" id="visually_embed_script_113106" src="https://a.visual.ly/api/embed/113106?width=540" type="text/javascript"></script> From <a href="http://visual.ly/?utm_source=content-embed&utm_medium=embed">Visually</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-23846315923835808952016-02-14T13:06:00.001-08:002016-02-20T14:24:53.067-08:00Water-colored photo of the Home of the Good Shepherd, from the 1920's or 1930's.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBGSsYDXaoLXwFMCS0Sel0eWUM3DTrpENzDNOeU7ftbh-0yuakyZaLh4w_MIiUSjgH8uPwAPnnAfcngGV4NoJZkjKFCJkvanm2y62hPJmYzR6oe9wpwNDoopoWdRuTZ6i50uIC5QUN4w/s1600/3cdcca12-c375-4908-b175-a0a7b5d9c85d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBGSsYDXaoLXwFMCS0Sel0eWUM3DTrpENzDNOeU7ftbh-0yuakyZaLh4w_MIiUSjgH8uPwAPnnAfcngGV4NoJZkjKFCJkvanm2y62hPJmYzR6oe9wpwNDoopoWdRuTZ6i50uIC5QUN4w/s320/3cdcca12-c375-4908-b175-a0a7b5d9c85d.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It did not look like this in my lifetime. For one thing, this photo is <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hand-<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">painted. Perhaps some younger folks don't even remember<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">r know about those days before color photography?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, it's possible the bricks really <i>were</i> red back then.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because everything in Pittsburgh <a href="http://popularpittsburgh.com/darkhistory/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">turned black due to the steel mills.</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The trolley tracks were still there, so this was before the 6A Troy Hill bus started up.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm not sure, but I think the trolley had also been 6A Troy Hill? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or maybe it was just "6A" and they added the "Troy Hill" part after the trolley quit and there was only bus service.<br /><br />Does anyone remember? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://crazyhomelesscatholic.blogspot.com/2016/02/my-little-brother-was-buried-on-st.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I write a little about the Home of the Good shepherd, in a previous post.</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">My home was less than a block away from "Good Shepherd". I passed it each day on my way to school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Joe Raimondi's greengrocer was also directly across from Good Shepherd.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We called it the "fruit store," of course. There were other Italian fruit stores down on East Ohio Street, but Raimondi's was the only one really close.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
http://mediasvc.ancestry.com/v2/image/namespaces/60623/media/3cdcca12-c375-4908-b175-a0a7b5d9c85d.jpg?client=BoardsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-86604284960564127022016-02-14T13:01:00.001-08:002016-02-23T18:47:56.467-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
My Little Brother was Buried on St. Valentine's Day</h2>
<br />
<br />
It was St. Valentine's Day of 1983.<br />
<br />
It was a Monday.<br />
<br />
My brother had committed suicide on Friday. At the time, I had been away from Holy Mother Church for so long, I did not even know that February 11th was the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.<br />
<br />
Bobby would have delebrated his 21st birthday on September 12th of that year.<br />
<br />
I was fourteen years old when he was born. I was in the tenth grade at Allegheny High School.<br />
<br />
At first, I could just babysit him by putting him down on my "desk" (aka, old kitchen table relegated to one of the back bedrooms) - - - least, on one of the rare occasions when I actually did homework or studied.<br />
<br />
It was a few weeks until he started rolling and grabbing my stuff and catapulting himself around to roll and grab some more. Plus, kicking, and shimmying. As well as reaching, and all those activities that toddlers engage in while exploring --- and trying to control --- the universe.<br />
<br />
Well, I was very happy to have another excuse to avoid studying.<br />
<br />
Not that anybody cared what I did, or why. As long as I didn't bother <i>them</i>, or need anything, the parental units were happy to allow me to go about my business. All the better that I should babysit Bobby. That would put <i>both</i> of us out of the picture.<br />
<br />
I had skipped a grade a long time before Bobby was born. It was the second half of first grade, and the first half of second grade, that I missed. I was never happy in school at any time after that.<br />
<br />
Otherwise I would have been in the ninth grade when Bobby was born, and not yet at Allegheny, because Allegheny started in the tenth grade. I would have still been at Latimer Junior High. There's no telling what difference it would have made in my life?<br />
<br />
Is there ever a way to tell about that?<br />
<br />
Now there is a convenience store called, "Uni-Mart" across from the funeral parlor. I had passed this funeral parlor each day on my way to and from school. First, Troy Hill School.<br />
<br />
Then, Holy Name ---- Most Holy Name of Jesus --- which was diagonal from the spot where Troy Hill Elementary had been.<br />
<br />
But, before that, there was a huge, black, imposing, Gothic structure behind high walls and iron gates. We called it The Home of the Good Shepherd. My friends told me it was a place where "bad girls" had to go. Apparently they could never come back out. We never saw any of these "bad girls," except once.<br />
<br />
They went to the public swimming pool, with chaperones.<br />
<br />
One of the "bad girls" had a name carved on her legs. It was a guy's name.<br />
<br />
Otherwise, they seemed like any young folks having fun at the pool.<br />
<br />
Only a little louder, meaner and rougher. Sort of how I would expect "bad girls" to be.<br />
<br />
(I became a "bad girl" myself, but not until a few years later.)<br />
<br />
I lived on Lowrie Street starting in 1956, when I was eight years old. The Good Shepherd Home was demolished in 1959. I remember eating fruit from Rimondi's, right across from the demolition. I was one of Rimondi's best customers, and had been ever since I was nine years old.<br />
<br />
Mr. Rimondi called me inside while I was sitting on the steps of his fruit store. He gave me a bag of fruit, and said, "Now you can go back out and watch your show."<br />
<br />
He did not ask me for $$$$.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxKx_P2INKpizXNwQpUeFttXF0fkZv5EJJHPTIvZFMUP9kJHFZU1Qcw-Yvh-acODCpkCG6_kzkhP6jPHj7spvY5fEsB_0hNmHQnZxwlD6MV7kvPGDdurhiVSiwwhm6LcNWCM3R5Y11Os/s1600/candyhearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxKx_P2INKpizXNwQpUeFttXF0fkZv5EJJHPTIvZFMUP9kJHFZU1Qcw-Yvh-acODCpkCG6_kzkhP6jPHj7spvY5fEsB_0hNmHQnZxwlD6MV7kvPGDdurhiVSiwwhm6LcNWCM3R5Y11Os/s200/candyhearts.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
On Valentine's Day of 1983, my sons and daughters --- ages two, four, five and twelve --- were getting restless sitting in the cramped funeral parlor. They and I walked across Lowrie Street, to look for treats or snacks. I think we bought some little boxes of candy Valentine hearts.<br />
<br />
I realized that I had just bought cigarettes for Bobby in this "Uni-Mart" a few days before.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">(340)</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span class="author" style="background-color: white; color: #4d493f; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: 0.05em; text-transform: uppercase;">BY <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/emily-dickinson" style="color: #043d6e; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none;">EMILY DICKINSON</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">I felt a Funeral, in my Brain,</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And Mourners to and fro</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Kept treading - treading - till it seemed</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">That Sense was breaking through -</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And when they all were seated,</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A Service, like a Drum -</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Kept beating - beating - till I thought</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">My mind was going numb -</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And then I heard them lift a Box</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And creak across my Soul</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">With those same Boots of Lead, again,</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Then Space - began to toll,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">As all the Heavens were a Bell,</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And Being, but an Ear,</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And I, and Silence, some strange Race,</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Wrecked, solitary, here -</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And then a Plank in Reason, broke,</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And I dropped down, and down -</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And hit a World, at every plunge,</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #505050; line-height: 24px; padding-left: 1em; text-align: right; text-indent: -1em;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">And Finished knowing - then -</span></span></div>
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<div class="credit" style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Arial; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 30px; padding-top: 24px;">
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Reprinted by permission of the publishers and the Trustees of Amherst College from The Poems of Emily Dickinson: Variorum Edition, Ralph W. Franklin, ed., Cambridge, Mass.: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, © 1998 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. © 1951, 1955, 1979, 1983 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College.</span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(it seems that the official "smart people" --- i.e., academics --- have declared the above poem by emily dickinson</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> number 340</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> is a metaphor for dickinson's "descent into madness." </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> grief itself is a descent into madness. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://donmarquis.com/archy-and-mehitabel/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">love archy the cockroach</a>, but with some punctuation,</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> unlike the old days lol) </span></i></div>
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<tr><td>SOME, too fragile for winter winds,</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>The thoughtful grave encloses,—</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Tenderly tucking them in from frost</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Before their feet are cold.</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>Never the treasures in her nest</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"><i> 5</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>The cautious grave exposes,</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="6"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Building where schoolboy dare not look</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="7"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>And sportsman is not bold.</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td> </td></tr>
<tr><td>This covert have all the children</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Early aged, and often cold,—</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10"><i> 10</i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Sparrows unnoticed by the Father;</td><td align="right" valign="top"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td>Lambs for whom time had not a fold.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
~~~~<a href="http://www.bartleby.com/113/4051.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Part Four</a> <a href="http://www.bartleby.com/113/4051.html" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank"><i>Time and Eternity,</i> LI, Emily Dickinson</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-50562498852997173662015-11-09T15:27:00.001-08:002016-02-04T13:41:36.336-08:00 . . . . back when cookies used to be delicious little dessert items baked in the oven . . .<span style="background-color: #38761d;"><span></span></span><h2 style="text-align: center;">
For our Friends in Europe</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">(assuming Europe is the same as " the European Union" . . . ?? --- of which --- alas!! --- I am none so sure.)</span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> There seems to be a problem with something called (in tech parlance) "cookies."</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I do not actually know what these cookies are, but I do know that they are very annoying. </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Even though they are annoying, they still seem to speed things up sometimes on the Internet.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Which makes no sense, I think?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Nevertheless . . . </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">The main point that I need to get across today is that folks in Europe, or the European Union--- or whatever you kids are calling it nowadays --- may be getting some of these cookies --- which I believe are little bits of code that somehow get onto (or install themselves on) the computers of folks who read my blog.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Apparently, since there is a possibility of these cookies getting onto the hard drive (? is that the right term?) of anyone who may read this blog, I must legally notify all readers of this blog.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Further, I must obtain permission of anyone who reads this blog because the cookies may be somehow zapping through to the reader's computer at this very moment. Because the cookies are somehow able to actually store certain pieces or bits of code or information on the computer of anyone who reads a page of my blog.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Or, do the cookies store something on Google from the reader's computer?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">It's very confusing to this granny. Plus, I told you I was crazy. Right in the title of my blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">See?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC4rjAl9wVOJyEaGz1jRRAvbLynd-ic5LQgHFl0_4Nc0PwwI98zYFIpHDKtt1Cba6qm-6u2zNeN6r1a5yaTy5GWUSkUgHBt-YaPaM6HUGuKrMAwMReicNlXFA6AkjU0ZKRvnJbrIbrBI/s1600/555433_159625774245927_1447002578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #fb5e53; clear: right; color: #4d469c; display: inline !important; float: right; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC4rjAl9wVOJyEaGz1jRRAvbLynd-ic5LQgHFl0_4Nc0PwwI98zYFIpHDKtt1Cba6qm-6u2zNeN6r1a5yaTy5GWUSkUgHBt-YaPaM6HUGuKrMAwMReicNlXFA6AkjU0ZKRvnJbrIbrBI/s200/555433_159625774245927_1447002578_n.jpg" style="border: none; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">But, craziness does not absolve me of my responsibilities to my readers. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I have an obligation to tell readers that Google Analytics uses cookies to glean information about their locations. Also, some other things, I think, like what operating system, browser, model of hardware, etc., readers are using. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">As you can see, I really don't know what I'm talking about here, but I am trying to kind of "squeak by" and fulfill my obligation as quickly and easily as possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">At least for now.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Otherwise, I may become "non-compliant," regarding cookie computing.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I will talk to some computer folks when I get a chance, in order to understand.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Right now, I should just link to the information that Google sent us bloggers: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://support.google.com/blogger/answer/6253244?p=eu_cookies_notice&hl=en&rd=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cookies Notification in European Union Countries: </a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.cookiechoices.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This page to help bloggers (like me!) know how to get the consent from readers (like you!)</a><br />
<br />
I do not know for sure whether or not my "cookies notice" is really appearing on my blog.<br />
<br />
I did take Google's advice about "pretending" I am logging in at an EU domain, to see if the cookies notice appears. It seems to be ok, but I'd like to be more confident. I'll keep checking.<br />
<br />
The important thing is that readers in the E.U. must receive the required notification. In case that notice does not appear on the blog, I am saying it right here:<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: right;">
<u><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">There are cookies on this blog. </span></b></u></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: right;">
<u><b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">(I don't know if that's good enough or not</span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b> </b>?)</span></b></u></h2>
<div>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">I also want to ask about which language this notice should be in? Maybe a lot, since we're talking about Europe.</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">On the other hand, my blog is in English, so . . . ? </span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">***********************************************************</span></b><b style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b><br />
<b style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">My eyes hurt from looking at this screen. I'll offer it up for the souls in Purgatory, but I still need to stop for today.</span></b><br />
<b style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Eyes are a wonderful gift from the Creator.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">************************************************************</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">I cannot think of cookies and Europe without thinking of what I read about how the REAL cookies -- the ones baked in an oven --- actually got started by German bakers, who would bake little tiny samples of their cakes </span></b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">for tasting.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Then, thinking about these German bakers makes me think of Our Holy Father Emeritus, Benedict XVI because he was born in Bavaria. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;">************************************************************</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-12668552" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here is an article about this cookie issue in the EU, but it's from 2011. Not sure how relevant it will be now.</a></span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/61416?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here is another helpful article from Google, but perhaps not specifically regarding the EU?</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Last but not least: </h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/338471/basic-sugar-cookies" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A recipe for classic sugar cookies from Martha.</a></h3>
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Sugar, butter, flour, one egg, and a couple other small things.</div>
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<br /></div>
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You can make this recipe as is, just plain. You can also do lots of fancy stuff.<br />
<br />
Either way, they're always delicious.<br />
<br />
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********************************************<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">I have noticed some ads on some pages of my blog that seem to be trying to create the mistaken impression they refer to Holy Mother Church, when they really are from some kind of fear-mongering "prophecy" cult.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">They create the illusion that they are speaking for Holy Mother Church, although it is pretty obvious they have no connection whatsoever with Her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.catholictradition.org/Mary/lady.htm" target="_blank">(This paragraph is blue, in honor of our Blessed Mother, The Lovely Lady Dressed in Blue.</a> When I was a little girl, I was lucky enough to have a 78 r.p.m. record of this by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.)</span><br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope I can rid my blog of these fear-mongering ads.They're really quite disgusting.</span></span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.exitsupportnetwork.com/index.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here is a blog written by someone who obviously (and sadly) knows much more than I do about the aforementioned fear-mongering cult.</a> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have no way of knowing how accurate this website is, but it seems to have the ring of truth. The author has had some serious first-hand experience, unfortunately.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="background-color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-color: #6aa84f;"></span></span>"Destructive religious groups, often referred to as Bible-based,
apocalyptic cults, spiritually abusive churches, or high demand groups,
are becoming more widespread in our society."<span style="background-color: magenta;"></span></span></span></span> </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: lime;"><span><span style="background-color: magenta;"></span></span></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
***************************************<br />
<br />
Please always feel free to consult the <a href="http://www.usccb.org/" target="_blank">National Conference of Catholic Bishops.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM" target="_blank">Here is a complete Catechism in English on the Holy See website.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm" target="_blank">Here is another searchable Catechism (in English and Spanish) on the USCCB website.</a><br />
<br />
(The Catechism is also in many languages on the Holy See website.<br />
<a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_AIUTO.HTM#suggerimenti" target="_blank">Here is a page regarding some technical aspects of the Catechism.</a> --- Which I do not understand.)<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is a link to the website of the Holy See, which is translated into many languages online.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/en.html" target="_blank">Here is the English version.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/fr.html" target="_blank">Here is the French version.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.vatican.va/chinese/index.html" target="_blank">Here is the Chinese version.</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/vatican/ar.html" target="_blank">Here is the Arabic version.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-24022145847184441092015-10-01T17:16:00.004-07:002015-10-04T08:50:08.744-07:00A Long Time Since . . . I promised to write more about Title IV-D, back on May 28th, of this year (2015.)<br />
<br />
Today is October 1.<br />
<br />
Alas!<br />
<br />
Four months have passed.<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<b>NB: </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>I am not an attorney. This is not legal advice.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>It is information from my experience, or from reading, or some combination. I try to ensure accuracy by checking sources as much as I can, but I am also not a professional journalist.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
For several decades, U. S. society has implicitly supported abortion in many different ways. Sixty million unborn babies have died cruel, violent deaths for no reason except "convenience."<br />
<br />
But, those abortions have been much less convenient than raising a son or daughter would have been. I made that same tragic mistake myself --- TWICE!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`</b><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><b>Definition: </b>"Title IV-D" refers to state-run child support
enforcement programs which are funded through grants provided for by the
Social Security Act of 1975. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[Please note the date. --- Two years after Roe v. Wade. I believe that Title IV of the Social Security Act may have been intended to save babies from abortion.]</span></i>
<br />
<pre><i>
</i></pre>
<i>Title IV of the Social Security Act covers
grants to states for the purpose of providing aid and services to needy
families with children and for child-welfare services. Part "D" of that
law covers child support and the establishment of paternity. (Although Title IV-D is also for divorced parents.) </i></blockquote>
<br />
(The above is quoted from the <a href="http://singleparents.about.com/od/glossary/g/Title_IV_D.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Single Parents section</a> on <a href="http://www.about.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">About Dot Com.)</a><br />
<br />
The main thing you need to know is this: Get yourself to the district attorney's office, or the corporation counsel's office of your county, whichever county you happen to be in.<br />
<br />
If you are in the United States of America, you are in a county.<br />
<br />
Even if you are not in any city, town, village or township (municipality), you are still in a county. <br />
<br />
Each county has a district attorney to represent state interest in criminal matters, and a corporation counsel, to represent the state interest in civil matters.<br />
<br />
Title IV-D is important to mention whenever anyone tells you that you "cannot afford" a new baby, because you're single --- or for another reason. <br />
<br />
People may tell you this in order to convince you that you should kill your unborn baby. Pro-aborts are quite adept at figuring out these excuses for killing your unborn baby.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title04/0400.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here is the complete text of Title IV of the Social Security Act, in case you feel like boring yourself to death someday</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title04/0400.htm#ft2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Part D—Child Support and Establishment of Paternity </a><br />
<br />
<pre></pre>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-18506093218518342932015-05-28T12:48:00.001-07:002016-02-04T13:22:40.906-08:00Ultrasound is rape, but abortion is totally non-invasive, according to dailykos<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/05/27/1388246/-No-Governor-Walker-State-Mandated-Rape-is-not-a-cool-thing#comments" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dailykos publishes something about something. It's difficult to tell what's going on, exactly.</a><br />
<br />
I hate including a link to their silly "journal" but I suppose I must, just for proper attribution purposes.<br />
<br />
All I can say is they love dead babies, and they love moms who kill them.<br />
<br />
In order to prevent themselves and their readers from thinking about the very inconvenient fact that abortion kills a human being --- as well as the other inconvenient fact that abortion is never medically necessary --- they distract by writing the word, "rape" many times.<br />
<br />
As if that were the issue.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Ultrasounds Save Lives</h4>
<br />
They are afraid that a mom might see an ultrasound of that little guy or gal, and be moved to change her mind about killing/aborting. They are afraid of that because it has happened many times. Many moms have changed their minds <a href="http://erlc.com/article/ultrasound-machines-save-babies-lives" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">when seeing the little person on an ultrasound.</a><br />
<br />
dailykos doesn't want "choice." They only want abortion.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
When Did My Party Become the Abortion Party?</h4>
<br />
Governor Walker has a great pro-life record. That's why I voted for him, even though I have been a registered Democrat since 1969 --- the year I first became old enough to vote.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Here's a quote from the dailykos article: </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Since penetration of a woman's body without her consent is rape, and
since Republican Legislatures are legalizing just that, Republican
legislators should be brought up on rape charges. That includes Governor
Walker, every Legislator who voted for a state mandated rape law, and
every Governor who signed one into law.
</i></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Law suits need to be filed by women's groups. The American Medical Association
should sign on as co-plaintiffs, refusing to be forced into being
accomplices. Individuals subjected to such assaults should file class
action suits.</i> </blockquote>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>All of us who are appalled at this twisting of our laws in order to
hide Republican assaults upon our families, friends, and neighbors need
to be raising our voices in righteous outrage.</i></blockquote>
</blockquote>
<br />
This author actually wrote this with a straight face?<br />
<br />
Of course she or he doesn't mean it. It's just pretense.<br />
<br />
Pro-aborts love to pretend to burst with righteous indignation.<br />
<br />
An ultrasound is a little sensor on the tummy, while you're fully clothed. (Maybe you have to pull your shirt up so the sensor can "sense" better?) I know this because I've had six kids.<br />
<br />
I am sad to say that I have also had two abortions, may God forgive me.<br />
<br />
(I received Absolution for these abortions, of course, before returning to the Sacraments for which I had longed so earnestly.)<br />
<br />
Somebody on EWTN said that in the past, one could not simply receive Absolution for abortion in regular Confession. The priest had to go ask the bishop for special permission because it was rare back then --- before 1973. The penitent had to wait for that permission from the bishop.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, abortion is no longer that rare.<br />
<br />
Still, I wish I could have my babies back. I think of them always, every day. I miss them. I wish I could see them again, but they are with the Lord. I was the one who sent them there prematurely.<br />
<br />
The worst thing about an ultrasound is that it can hurt the baby's ears, I've heard. It makes a loud screech, that only the baby can hear.<br />
<br />
(That is, of course, unless you want to promote abortion. In that case, everything about ultrasound is bad. That's why dailykos is so against it.)<br />
<br />
I wish grievously, sadly, powerfully, that someone would have "forced" an ultrasound on me on those two dates. Because then my babies would be here with me now.<br />
<br />
No, not "might."<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC4rjAl9wVOJyEaGz1jRRAvbLynd-ic5LQgHFl0_4Nc0PwwI98zYFIpHDKtt1Cba6qm-6u2zNeN6r1a5yaTy5GWUSkUgHBt-YaPaM6HUGuKrMAwMReicNlXFA6AkjU0ZKRvnJbrIbrBI/s1600/555433_159625774245927_1447002578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC4rjAl9wVOJyEaGz1jRRAvbLynd-ic5LQgHFl0_4Nc0PwwI98zYFIpHDKtt1Cba6qm-6u2zNeN6r1a5yaTy5GWUSkUgHBt-YaPaM6HUGuKrMAwMReicNlXFA6AkjU0ZKRvnJbrIbrBI/s200/555433_159625774245927_1447002578_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Would.<br />
<br />
<div class="ct">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
One commenter posted this brilliant (NOT) insight to the article: </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>" . . . I asked a close friend, who's also conservative and devoutly Catholic -- what he thought of this. And
he put it perfectly -- the way any thinking, feeling person on the Right
should see it: "Abortion is wrong. But destroying the dignity of women doesn't make it any less wrong."</i><br />
<i>Would that all religious conservatives had that sensibility."</i><br />
<i><br /></i></blockquote>
[NB: Why all the labels? "Thinking?" ---- "feeling?"---- "on the Right?" ---- "conservative"?" What about the actual issue --- a baby has died, or will die in abortion? Why doesn't it make perfect sense to do as much as possible to prevent that death? ]<br />
<br />
Abortion destroys the dignity of all involved.<br />
<br />
Abortion destroys the life of a healthy baby. <br />
<br />
Abortion also sometimes destroys the life of the mom, as well. (We don't really know how frequently moms are killed by abortion.)<br />
<br />
If you don't want "penetration," don't get an abortion. Just let the little guy or gal continue to grow until she or he is ready to meet the world and continue growing in the outside world, as nature intended.<br />
<br />
Yes, abortion IS wrong. But, just making that statement doesn't do anything or change anything. It's static.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><u>"Abortion is wrong. But destroying</u></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><u> the dignity of </u></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><u>women </u></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><u>doesn't make it any less wrong."</u></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><u><br /></u></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I find myself wondering what kind of allegedly "devoutly Catholic" person of any political stripe would or could say such a thing.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It seems to me that it is a little like saying, "Homicide is wrong. But, taking away that firearm from the potential murderer doesn't make it any less wrong. Because that firearm is her or his property, and nobody can interfere in her or his property rights."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Whether or not gun deprivation or ultrasound "makes" something "less wrong," isn't really the question, though, is it?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It PREVENTS that wrong from occurring in the first place. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Later on, philosophers and theologians can debate on the hierarchy of wrong or harm.</div>
<br />
Abortion is much more invasive and penetrating than any rape could ever be.<br />
<br />
If you find yourself unexpectedly pregnant, be grateful that your body is nice and healthy. Then, start checking out all the sources of help that are out there, whether you decide to raise the little guy or gal yourself, or to look for an adoptive family.<br />
<br />
Be sure to start with Title IV-D at your local county, if you are keeping the little guy or gal. Title IV-D is a federal program, totally free in every county of the U.S.<br />
<br />
I will write more about Title IV-D in another post.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/i-pledge-to-vote-for-a-pro-life-candidate-for-president.html">I Pledge to Vote for a Pro-Life Candidate for President Petition | GoPetition</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-9894171141100300762015-05-26T16:24:00.001-07:002015-05-26T16:37:35.638-07:00First Birthday of Crazy Homeless Catholic GrandmaThe first post on this blog happened on May 26, 2014, which happened to be Memorial Day that year.<br />
<br />
Well, this year, Memorial Day was yesterday, May 25, 2015. I did not attend Mass at the cemetery. In fact, I did not go to Mass at all yesterday, which is ok, because it was not a Holy Day of Obligation.<br />
<br />
Still . . .it's always good to attend Mass on any day, for any reason.<br />
<br />
Saturday, May 23, would have been my stepdad's 89th birthday. He was a veteran of World War II.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, May 25th, would have been <a href="http://crazyhomelesscatholic.blogspot.com/2014/05/oppenheim.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oppenheim's</a> 59th birthday. He was the son of a Holocaust Survivor.<br />
<br />
Thanks to all who have read my blog during its first year. I hope there will be many more, and I hope my blog has brought a few bright moments to your lives.<br />
<br />
God bless. Thanks for reading.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdSHDU83oErBL13pRJNrMsIecIE4bITilSHu3d-r6sfUcfkniFd-ZpdyDO8_cgiLMiG1TYjMslrQnHw-daWfq-7u1w0c5RwpQP7gxtQOq0iu9pAKkdHk5Q3xwGt3qX0VjOHYqcEm7-hc/s1600/555433_159625774245927_1447002578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdSHDU83oErBL13pRJNrMsIecIE4bITilSHu3d-r6sfUcfkniFd-ZpdyDO8_cgiLMiG1TYjMslrQnHw-daWfq-7u1w0c5RwpQP7gxtQOq0iu9pAKkdHk5Q3xwGt3qX0VjOHYqcEm7-hc/s320/555433_159625774245927_1447002578_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-32433552131624385232015-05-26T16:21:00.000-07:002015-05-26T17:07:54.788-07:00It's official (according to dailykos): Pope No Longer Catholic, As Journalists Have Been Predicting!!!<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Cardinal Burke</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
It's official: </h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Pope No Longer Catholic, As Liberal Journalists Have Been Predicting!! </h3>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1221759075"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/10/1343748/-It-s-Official-Pope-Francis-Demotes-Higest-Ranking-US-Cardinal-Over-LBGT-Issues?detail=email">http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/10/1343748/-It-s-Official-Pope-Francis-Demotes-Higest-Ranking-US-Cardinal-Over-LBGT-Issues?detail=email</a><br />
<br />
Wow, what bunch of idiots at this Kos publication!!<br />
<br />
After ridiculing Cardinal Burke for suggesting that the Holy Father is not free to change doctrine or dogma by himself, they make this claim: <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Apparently the Pope is free, at minimum, to <i>encourage</i> change. This is one more reason why so many free-thinkers in America, and in other countries love Pope Francis." </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
(Um, shouldn't there be a comma between 'countries' and 'love' --- for the appositive?)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>{"free - thinkers" I love that. As long as we agree with this author, right?}</i></blockquote>
<br />
But, I keep wondering what CHANGE might that exactly BE? The change in the teaching that we should not judge another?<br />
<br />
Or, a change in the teaching that certain acts (no matter who is engaging in them) are indeed gravely disordered?<br />
<br />
So, that would boil down to a change in the Catechism, I think? <br />
<br />
I need to write more about this later.<br />
<br />
<br />
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Insisting that the pope had "clearly affirmed the church's moral teaching, in accord with her unbroken tradition," Cardinal Burke blamed perceptions to the contrary on "false praise" of Pope Francis by "persons whose hearts are hardened against the truth."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Yes, that's for sure!! I mean, that's true what Cardinal Burke said. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;">But, I fear that these journalists mean that as an insult, in order to ridicule Cardinal Burke. As far as the journalists are concerned, there could be no such thing as "false praise" --- or is it that no praise could be false enough for Pope Francis. He is their deliverer, who will marry gays, ordain women, "allow" abortion and birth control</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;">Accordingly, Cardinal Burke must be the mean old wicked warlock who is taking away all their (and Francis') fun.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1404631.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;">http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1404631.htm</span></a><br />
<span style="color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;">In October of 2014, <a href="http://www.josephsciambra.com/2014/10/the-triumph-of-pope-john-paul-and.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Joseph Sciambra mentioned Cardinal Burke in his blog post, and it was a good one. He links to a very nice interview with the Cardinal.</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdSHDU83oErBL13pRJNrMsIecIE4bITilSHu3d-r6sfUcfkniFd-ZpdyDO8_cgiLMiG1TYjMslrQnHw-daWfq-7u1w0c5RwpQP7gxtQOq0iu9pAKkdHk5Q3xwGt3qX0VjOHYqcEm7-hc/s1600/555433_159625774245927_1447002578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdSHDU83oErBL13pRJNrMsIecIE4bITilSHu3d-r6sfUcfkniFd-ZpdyDO8_cgiLMiG1TYjMslrQnHw-daWfq-7u1w0c5RwpQP7gxtQOq0iu9pAKkdHk5Q3xwGt3qX0VjOHYqcEm7-hc/s320/555433_159625774245927_1447002578_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
<span style="color: #001572; font-family: Arial, Helvetica; font-size: x-small;"> </span></h4>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-7183664665941088642015-03-24T10:19:00.004-07:002015-03-29T15:01:34.528-07:00A Faithful Catholic Teacher in her Fifties Loses Health Insurance and Job<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>I am grateful for this article, on First Things.</b></h2>
<br />
There have been far too many allegedly "Catholic" teachers and legislators arguing for their non-existent "right" to publicly promote abortion, criticize the Holy Father, and vilify the teachings of the Magisterium in every way possible.<br />
<br />
I am partly incorrect when I say their right does not exist.<br />
<br />
Of course, being U.S. citizens, they certainly do have a legal right. But, no faithful practicing Catholic has any moral right to publicly take exception to the doctrine or dogma of Holy Mother Church.<br />
<br />
At the very least, I think they would have to ask for Confession before receiving the<br />
<br />
~~ *B*O*D*Y* of *C*H*R*I*S*T* ~~.<br />
<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2015/03/threatened-for-her-zeal-for-the-faith" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="drop-cap">I</span>f she is threatened with being fired for what she said, then her job is on the line because she is a devoted Catholic. If she is under the gun for how she said it—and the fact that the Sensitivity Police are offended by it—then she has lots of company, and in high places too. </a></i></blockquote>
<br />
I used to think that we U.S. citizens were free to state our personal opinions.<br />
<br />
Further, if a U.S. citizens happens to be Catholic, and teaching in a Catholic school, then it would be normal and reasonable for that citizen's opinion to reflect the teachings of the Magisterium.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Becoming a Pro-Life Progressive</b></u></h3>
<br />
I joined an online group for "pro-life progressives."<br />
<br />
Of course, pro-lifers are frequently accused of being conservative Republicans. (I've never been able to figure out what is so Democratic or liberal about killing babies before they're born, but I digress.)<br />
<br />
A few days after I joined this group, a female posted a picture of our Holy Father, Pope Francis, with a recent quote reminding Catholics to uphold the two-thousand year-old teaching of Holy Mother Church by not using artificial birth control.<br />
<br />
Her comment on this picture and quote: "I'm Catholic, but I totally disagree. Some people can't afford to have kids." That is, she claimed to disagree with our Holy Father, Pope Francis, on a matter of doctrine and dogma.<br />
<br />
I reminded her that she is not actually Catholic, because Catholics are not free to disobey, or even doubt, the doctrine and dogma of Holy Mother Church. We are certainly not free to influence others to disobey?<br />
<br />
Was it St. Thomas Aquinas who said, "Ten thousand difficulties do not make a single doubt?"<br />
<br />
She then proclaimed that I am not "progressive" enough, and her group was for "progressives."<br />
<br />
Well, I tried to explain that I am highly progressive, but that doesn't mean that my fellow Catholics are off the hook when it comes to admonishment for their sins. If a Buddhist, a Baptist, or a Lutheran publicly took exception to a teaching of Holy Mother Church, it would not concern me.<br />
<br />
But, please notice the little inverted turnabout here: Her standard for "progressivism" is higher than the Holy Father's own pronouncement of Catholic doctrine and dogma. She is free to publicly call attention to her own heresy, but I am not free to call myself "progressive" outside of her standard.<br />
<br />
This person could have simply ignored the Holy Father's statement. She could have just kept it to herself, and struggled privately with her difficulty. It almost seemed that she felt that publicly proclaiming herself as "Catholic," would lend credence to her dissent. There's no need to even consider any religious topics, in a "progressive" group.<br />
<br />
"Progressive" is a secular label.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: right;">
<u>A Thankless Job for Us</u></h4>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">So, those of us who actually give a hoot</span>, <span style="font-weight: normal;">are left here in the wilderness with the thankless task of admonishing the sinner all by ourselves, which nobody else seems able or willing to do these days.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">One person from a local eatery said to me, "I only go to Confession once a year unless they show me a reason to do otherwise."</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">{Well, how about this for a reason: You committed a mortal sin and you cannot receive the ~~ *B*O*D*Y* of *C*H*R*I*S*T* ~~ unless you are in a state or Grace. You can only be in a state of Grace again if Confess your mortal sin first? } </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I thought, but did not say.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I even asked a priest about this (in Confession, by the way, because I felt that I had sinned by not instructing her in her ignorance.) Strangely enough, Father said I had no obligation to do so.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Another person told me he had not been to Mass for twenty years, and asked if he could go to Mass with me. (Well, he didn't need ME for that, so why did he wait twenty years? Very mysterious.)</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">A few days before we were supposed to meet for Mass, I started worrying that he did not know or remember that he needed Confession before receiving the *B*O*D*Y* of *C*H*R*I*S*T* in the <i><u><b>EUCHARIST.</b></u></i> I realized that I had an obligation to either remind him, or tell him for the first time. </span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">(The way catechesis has been going for the past forty years . . . ? It might even be possible for a man in his fifties to not know the basics.)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">I tried to leave a message on his voice mail telling him about Holy Mother Church's doctrine. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">He did not show up --- thank Heavens! He claimed he could not hear the message, but I'm not sure if that was the real reason. I'm just glad he did not show up.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">A young relative of mine saw a friend from school at Mass. My relative knew the friend had not been to Mass for a long time, because the friend had confided this privately. This relative wrote a little note to the friend, reminding the friend of her Sunday obligation, mortal sin and the necessity of being in a state of Grace before receiving the *B*O*D*Y* of *C*H*R*I*S*T*. She even asked Father about it, but he did not offer much guidance or support. He did mention the admonishment of sinners, and instruction of the ignorant, but he kind of shrugged it off.</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Perhaps I can understand --- a little? We don't want to start a brawl or make a scene during Mass, of course. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">But, what U.S. Catholic isn't wondering why Nancy Pelosi is still pretending to be "Catholic?" Can't her bishop tell her the truth?</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;">And, that seems to be going on everywhere these days, here in the U.S. Thank goodness for Cardinal Burke!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><u><b>The Catholic Teacher's Bishop Does Not Want to Talk About It </b></u></span></h2>
</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2015/03/threatened-for-her-zeal-for-the-faith">http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2015/03/threatened-for-her-zeal-for-the-faith</a> <br />
<br />
<a href="http://diometuchen.org/bishop/from-the-bishops-desk/2015/bishop-s-statement-on-status-of-teacher-at-immaculata-high-school-somerville/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bishop Bootkoski makes statements</a> that are mutually exclusive. First, he claims that his "compassionate Catholic community . . . never wavers from our traditional Catholic teachings."<br />
<br />
Personally, when I read of a parish or a diocese being called, ". . . Catholic community. . . " I think I already know I'm reading an author who subscribes to only the "spirit" of Vatican II but not its documents.<br />
<br />
I guess he doesn't count that traditional Catholic teaching that says that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered? CCCC 2357.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, I do get a little tired of people who claim that someone is committing an act in private when they have no way of knowing that. (There's only one way to know.) The Catechism also says that nobody has the right to know everything about another person. Just because a person has a same-sex attraction doesn't mean she or he is acting on it, and we have no right to bring or cause scandal, or to indulge in gossip.<br />
<br />
Then, Bishop Bootkoski says, "<span style="line-height: 20px;">Pope Francis reminds us that we are to accept all of our brethren. </span><span style="line-height: 20px;">We must ensure that our educators steer away from harsh and judgmental statements that can alienate and divide us." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Bishop Bootkoski says this as if "acceptance" of our fellow human beings means that we should also accept their sinful lifestyle.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">But the teacher's statement was neither harsh nor judgmental. It was based on logic. She stated that sexual orientation is not an unchanging, inborn physical characteristic.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Therefore, it would not make sense to consider sexual orientation under the Fourteenth Amendment.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Catholics never can accept a sinful lifestyle as the norm. The Spiritual Works of Mercy tell us that we must: </span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJGgXoSNLGrPv3Fmus3NOdMkJU2fj-UyJKanrIxhyH7d1Hzob6NoyYb5-4tdRD4eXqLhTwOVNX021HivpApIR5GH-2kCT_UQ5WSq2cfNgEThNQ-zZTqcNcnmFVeUOO-jvndsSQEPV8eI/s1600/ACWB+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJGgXoSNLGrPv3Fmus3NOdMkJU2fj-UyJKanrIxhyH7d1Hzob6NoyYb5-4tdRD4eXqLhTwOVNX021HivpApIR5GH-2kCT_UQ5WSq2cfNgEThNQ-zZTqcNcnmFVeUOO-jvndsSQEPV8eI/s1600/ACWB+image.jpg" height="59" width="200" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><b><u><i><span style="line-height: 20px;">Admonish the Sinner;</span></i></u></b></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Instruct the Ignorant;</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Counsel the Doubtful;</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Bear Wrongs Patiently;</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Forgive Offenses Willingly;</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Comfort the Afflicted;</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Pray for the Living and the Dead.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggBgbLgsogC33p1EYG9Zum3b0wNQMYejQrHqihJEa94zkT5InqmdZkJMLxVUBsQiJ8LEvzbHwwqkBfuD_akQ2WMYxALm2BLpS8KrxqioPdMv1EM22XHEFPR9TRxi9HKHvEkXTRjgdato/s1600/91187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggBgbLgsogC33p1EYG9Zum3b0wNQMYejQrHqihJEa94zkT5InqmdZkJMLxVUBsQiJ8LEvzbHwwqkBfuD_akQ2WMYxALm2BLpS8KrxqioPdMv1EM22XHEFPR9TRxi9HKHvEkXTRjgdato/s1600/91187.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I would so love to get this coloring book for <br />my grandbabies.<br />But, alas, I am <i>verboten </i>from<br /> telling them about Mass, <br />or Our Lord, or Holy Mother Church.<br />I did manage to sneakily teach them<br /> the Sign of the Cross, though :-)</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Perhaps Bishop Bootkoski --- like many "Spirit of Vatican Two" adherents from the '70's and on --- would like to work only the Corporal Works of Mercy:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4jECCzQIkKlFSjT6gu_24MA3KVIdf3RbNLjyr2qylSGBpUBqqC5lBkhoQ16bP6gxOLZtvrhokPCYPMxNTJBlB_-xLrytoJvdVjrrSeN7_CL2KSOdAUtWt9fBN4z7Fb6Cao6wVlUPAeg/s1600/corporal_and_spiritual_works_of_mercy_poster-r29b539c544b74c568ab89361a5e74f5e_wa3_8byvr_512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4jECCzQIkKlFSjT6gu_24MA3KVIdf3RbNLjyr2qylSGBpUBqqC5lBkhoQ16bP6gxOLZtvrhokPCYPMxNTJBlB_-xLrytoJvdVjrrSeN7_CL2KSOdAUtWt9fBN4z7Fb6Cao6wVlUPAeg/s1600/corporal_and_spiritual_works_of_mercy_poster-r29b539c544b74c568ab89361a5e74f5e_wa3_8byvr_512.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Clothe the naked;</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Feed the hungry;</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Give drink to the thirsty;</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Visit the sick;</span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Visit the Imprisoned; </span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Shelter the Homeless; </span></li>
<li><span style="line-height: 20px;">Bury the dead. </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<span style="line-height: 20px;">It always seems to me that alleged "liberals" only follow the Corporal Works of Mercy. They forget about the Spiritual Works of Mercy.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;">Alleged "conservatives" only want to deal with the Spiritual Works of Mercy. They forget about the Corporal Works of Mercy.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="line-height: 20px;">They're both wrong.</span>
<br />
<ul></ul>
<span style="line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<ul>
</ul>
<span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 20px;"> </span><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3192989140028569296.post-54345630968576416672015-02-18T15:32:00.003-08:002016-02-11T10:24:24.767-08:00My Birthday is on Ash Wednesday This Year! Wow What an Honor!I tried to search on the I'net for a database and found out that this is the second time in my life that Ash Wednesday has happened on my birthday.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOMberuoTinE95DF_1JWeqvkcuiyufTLCdQfb9CGwv6q4vjfhqr976-BgN7ncTsT3emv8osxG9Tpl7NL-LEkA7rscfQ2AfDDdG2g4ot9uSe_rUyWu_9YgeC24XhldMg94L1P_NFoHgKk/s1600/ACWB+image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOMberuoTinE95DF_1JWeqvkcuiyufTLCdQfb9CGwv6q4vjfhqr976-BgN7ncTsT3emv8osxG9Tpl7NL-LEkA7rscfQ2AfDDdG2g4ot9uSe_rUyWu_9YgeC24XhldMg94L1P_NFoHgKk/s1600/ACWB+image.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
The first time was 1953, when I was five years old.<br />
<br />
Alessandro Volta is honored on the Google Doodle for today.<br />
<br />
Shocking!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/the-h-word/2015/feb/18/alessandro-volta-anniversary-electricity-history-science" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This article claims</a> that the image makes people think that Volta invented the light bulb.<br />
<br />
But, doesn't everybody know that <a href="http://www.thomasedison.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">THOMAS EDISON </a>did that? I mean, what is up with ignorance these days?<br />
<br />
Speaking of ignorance --- I did not know that Thomas Edison was born on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong style="background-color: #c0dffd; color: #003366; line-height: 20px;"><em>Thomas Edison died At 9 P.M. On Oct. 18th, 1931 in New Jersey. He was 84 years of age. Shortly before passing away, he awoke from a coma and quietly whispered to his very religious and faithful wife Mina, who had been keeping a vigil all night by his side: "It is very beautiful over there..."</em></strong><strong style="background-color: #c0dffd; color: #003366; line-height: 20px;"><em> Recognizing that his death marked the end of an era in the progress of civilization, countless individuals, communities, and corporations throughout the world dimmed their lights and, or, briefly turned off their electric power in his honor on the evening of the day he was laid to rest at his beautiful estate at Glenmont, New Jersey. Most realized that, even though he was far from being a flawless human being and may not have really had the avuncular personality that was so often ascribed to him by myth makers, he was an essentially good man with a powerful mission.... Driven by a superhuman desire to fulfill the promise of research and invent things to serve mankind, no one did more to help realize our Puritan founders dream of creating a country that - at its best - would be viewed by the rest of the world as "a shining city upon a hill." </em></strong></span><br />
<strong style="background-color: #c0dffd; color: #003366; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><em><br /></em></strong>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong style="background-color: #c0dffd; color: #003366; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><em>~~~ from </em></strong><span style="color: #003366; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>http://www.thomasedison.com/biography.html, copyright Gerald Beals.</i></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
But, it's amazing I think?<br />
<br />
I like <a href="http://acertainhope.blogspot.com/2015/02/on-not-being-thief-in-night.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brother Paul's post for today, on his blog, <i>A Certain Hope.</i></a><br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1